U.S. patent application number 15/738491 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-05 for supporting a configuration of a device.
The applicant listed for this patent is HERE GLOBAL B.V.. Invention is credited to Pavel IVANOV, Muhammad Irshan KHAN, Jari SYRJARINNE.
Application Number | 20180192253 15/738491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53498998 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180192253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KHAN; Muhammad Irshan ; et
al. |
July 5, 2018 |
SUPPORTING A CONFIGURATION OF A DEVICE
Abstract
A positioning support device transmits radio signals using at
least one default configuration parameter value. A mobile device
measures characteristics of the signals at different locations. An
apparatus assembles, based on the measured characteristics and
indications of the locations of measurement, data which enables a
determination of characteristics of radio signals transmitted by
the positioning support device, which are expected to be observable
at different locations. The apparatus determines in addition at
least one adapted configuration parameter value and causes the
positioning support device to store the assembled data for future
transmissions and to use the at least one adapted configuration
parameter value for future transmissions. As a result, the
positioning support device transmits radio signals including the
stored data using the at least one adapted configuration parameter
value.
Inventors: |
KHAN; Muhammad Irshan;
(Tampere, FI) ; SYRJARINNE; Jari; (Tampere,
FI) ; IVANOV; Pavel; (Tampere, FI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HERE GLOBAL B.V. |
Eindhoven |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
53498998 |
Appl. No.: |
15/738491 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
June 29, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/064634 |
371 Date: |
December 20, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
G01S 5/0236 20130101; G01S 5/0252 20130101; G01S 1/042 20130101;
G01S 2201/01 20190801; H04W 4/80 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20060101
H04W004/029; G01S 5/02 20060101 G01S005/02; H04W 4/80 20060101
H04W004/80 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: transmitting, by a positioning support
device, radio signals using at least one default configuration
parameter value; obtaining and storing, by the positioning support
device, data which enables a determination of characteristics of
radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations; obtaining, by the positioning
support device, at least one adapted configuration parameter value;
and transmitting, by the positioning support device, radio signals
including the stored data using the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
following constellations applies: the method further comprises
obtaining, by the positioning support device, the at least one
default configuration parameter value; and/or receiving, by the
positioning support device, radio signals comprising the at least
one default configuration parameter value; and/or receiving, by the
positioning support device, radio signals comprising the data which
enables a determination of characteristics of radio signals
transmitted by the positioning support device; and/or receiving, by
the positioning support device, radio signals comprising the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value; and/or at least
one of the at least one default configuration parameter value and
the at least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises a
transmission power value; and/or a transmission frequency value;
and/or at least one value relating to a mode of operation, the at
least one value relating to the mode of operation indicating
whether the positioning support device is to support a connection
to the positioning support device; and/or at least one value
relating to a mode of operation, wherein the at least one default
configuration parameter value comprises at least one value relating
to a mode of operation, which indicates that the positioning
support device is to support a connection to the positioning
support device in response to transmissions of the positioning
support device, and wherein the at least one adapted configuration
parameter value comprises at least one value relating to a mode of
operation, which indicates that the positioning support device is
to support a connection to the positioning support device in
response to some transmissions of the positioning support device
and that the positioning support device is not to support a
connection to the positioning support device in response to other
transmissions of the positioning support device; and/or the method
further comprises determining and transmitting along with the
stored data information about a state of the positioning support
device; and/or information about a battery state of the positioning
support device; and/or information about a point of time at which
the positioning support device obtained the stored data.
3.-4. (canceled)
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
following constellations applies; the positioning support device is
or comprises a Bluetooth beacon; and/or a Bluetooth beacon enabling
Bluetooth low energy mode; and/or a Bluetooth low energy beacon;
and/or the stored data is transmitted in a broadcast; and/or as
advertising data; and/or as advertising data in at least one air
interface packet; and/or using at least one advertising channel;
and/or using at least one advertising channel that is provided for
broadcasts.
6. (canceled)
7. A method comprising, performed by at least one apparatus:
obtaining characteristics of radio signals, the radio signals
transmitted by a positioning support device using at least one
default configuration parameter value and the characteristics of
radio signals measured by at least one mobile device at each of a
plurality of locations, and obtaining indications of the locations
of measurement; assembling, based on the obtained characteristics
of radio signals and the obtained indications of the locations of
measurement, data which enables a determination of characteristics
of radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations; determining at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for the positioning support device;
and causing the positioning support device to store the assembled
data for future transmissions and to use the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for future transmissions.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the at
least one default configuration parameter value and the at least
one adapted configuration parameter value comprises at least one
of: a transmission power value; a transmission frequency value; at
least one value relating to a mode of operation, the at least one
value relating to the mode of operation indicating whether the
positioning support device is to support a connection to the
positioning support device; and at least one value relating to a
mode of operation, wherein the at least one default configuration
parameter value comprises at least one value relating to a mode of
operation, which indicates that the positioning support device is
to support a connection to the positioning support device in
response to transmissions of the positioning support device, and
wherein the at least one adapted configuration parameter value
comprises at least one value relating to a mode of operation, which
indicates that the positioning support device is to support a
connection to the positioning support device in response to some
transmissions of the positioning support device and that the
positioning support device is not to support a connection to the
positioning support device in response to other transmissions of
the positioning support device.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one
apparatus is or belongs to a mobile device, the method further
comprising: detecting radio signals transmitted by a plurality of
positioning support devices in order to obtain characteristics of
radio signals for the plurality of positioning support devices and
identifications of the plurality of positioning support devices;
estimating a position of each of the plurality of positioning
support devices and storing an indication of the estimated
positions along with the obtained identifications of the
positioning support devices; and causing the mobile device to
display a representation of the positioning support devices on a
display with a spatial distribution corresponding to the estimate
positions.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the
following constellations applies: the representation of each
positioning support device is linked to the stored identification
of the represented positioning support device, the method further
comprising detecting a user selection of a displayed representation
of a positioning support device; determining the stored
identification of the positioning support device that is linked to
the selected representation of the positioning support device;
establishing a connection with the positioning support device using
the determined identification; and using the established connection
for causing the positioning support device to store the assembled
data for future transmissions and to set the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for use for future transmissions;
and/or the method further comprises estimating a position of a
positioning support device comprises determining a location at
which a highest signal strength has been received from the
positioning support device and using the location as estimated
position; or determining a location at which a highest signal
strength has been received from the positioning support device, and
using the location as estimated position in case the highest signal
strength exceeds a predetermined threshold; and/or the method
further comprises determining a path between the representations of
the positioning support devices on the display; and causing the
mobile device to display the path on the display for guiding the
user; and/or the method further comprises causing a marking of the
representations of the positioning support devices on the display
that have been successfully configured.
11.-13. (canceled)
14. The method according to claim 7, further comprising at least
one of: causing the mobile device to display information relating
to a state of configured positioning support devices; and causing
the mobile device to display information relating to a coverage
achieved with configured positioning support devices.
15. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the
following constellations applies: at least one of the plurality of
positioning support devices is or comprises a Bluetooth beacon;
and/or a Bluetooth beacon enabling Bluetooth low energy mode;
and/or a Bluetooth low energy beacon; and/or the stored data is
transmitted in a broadcast; and/or as advertising data; and/or as
advertising data in at least one air interface packet; and/or using
at least one advertising channel; and/or using at least one
advertising channel that is provided for broadcasts.
16.-18. (canceled)
19. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and
the computer program code configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause a positioning support device at least to perform:
transmit radio signals using at least one default configuration
parameter value; obtain and store data which enables a
determination of characteristics of radio signals transmitted by
the positioning support device, wherein the characteristics of
radio signals are expected to be observable at different locations;
obtain at least one adapted configuration parameter value; and
transmit radio signals including the stored data using the at least
one adapted configuration parameter value.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one
memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at
least one processor, further cause the positioning support device
to at least one of: obtain the at least one default configuration
parameter value; receive radio signals comprising the at least one
default configuration parameter value; receive radio signals
comprising the data which enables a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by the positioning
support device; and receive radio signals comprising the at least
one adapted configuration parameter value.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of
the at least one default configuration parameter value and the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises at least
one of: a transmission power value; a transmission frequency value;
at least one value relating to a mode of operation, the at least
one value relating to the mode of operation indicating whether the
positioning support device is to support a connection to the
positioning support device; and at least one value relating to a
mode of operation, wherein the at least one default configuration
parameter value comprises at least one value relating to a mode of
operation, which indicates that the positioning support device is
to support a connection to the positioning support device in
response to transmissions of the positioning support device, and
wherein the at least one adapted configuration parameter value
comprises at least one value relating to a mode of operation, which
indicates that the positioning support device is to support a
connection to the positioning support device in response to some
transmissions of the positioning support device and that the
positioning support device is not to support a connection to the
positioning support device in response to other transmissions of
the positioning support device.
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one
memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at
least one processor, further cause the positioning support device
to determine and transmit along with the stored data at least one
of: information about a state of the positioning support device;
information about a battery state of the positioning support
device; and information about a point of time at which the
positioning support device obtained the stored data.
23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein one of the
following constellations applies: the stored data is transmitted in
a broadcast; and/or as advertising data; and/or as advertising data
in at least one air interface packet; and/or using at least one
advertising channel; and/or using at least one advertising channel
that is provided for broadcasts; and/or the apparatus is a chip; or
a module for a positioning support device; or a positioning support
device; or a Bluetooth beacon; or a Bluetooth beacon enabling
Bluetooth low energy mode; or a Bluetooth low energy beacon.
24. (canceled)
25. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and
the computer program code configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause an apparatus at least to perform: obtain
characteristics of radio signals, the radio signals transmitted by
a positioning support device using at least one default
configuration parameter value and the characteristics of radio
signals measured by at least one mobile device at each of a
plurality of locations, and obtain indications of the locations of
measurement; assemble, based on the obtained characteristics of
radio signals and the obtained indications of the locations of
measurement, data which enables a determination of characteristics
of radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations; determine at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for the positioning support device;
and cause the positioning support device to store the assembled
data for future transmissions and to use the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for future transmissions.
26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein at least one of
the at least one default configuration parameter value and the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises at least
one of: a transmission power value; a transmission frequency value;
at least one value relating to a mode of operation, the at least
one value relating to the mode of operation indicating whether the
positioning support device is to support a connection to the
positioning support device; and at least one value relating to a
mode of operation, wherein the at least one default configuration
parameter value comprises at least one value relating to a mode of
operation, which indicates that the positioning support device is
to support a connection to the positioning support device in
response to transmissions of the positioning support device, and
wherein the at least one adapted configuration parameter value
comprises at least one value relating to a mode of operation, which
indicates that the positioning support device is to support a
connection to the positioning support device in response to some
transmissions of the positioning support device and that the
positioning support device is not to support a connection to the
positioning support device in response to other transmissions of
the positioning support device.
27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the at least one
apparatus is or belongs to a mobile device and wherein the at least
one memory and the computer program code are further configured to,
with the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: detect
radio signals transmitted by a plurality of positioning support
devices in order to obtain characteristics of radio signals for the
plurality of positioning support devices and identifications of the
plurality of positioning support devices; estimate a position of
each of the plurality of positioning support devices and storing an
indication of the estimated positions along with the obtained
identifications of the positioning support devices; and display a
representation of the positioning support devices on a display with
a spatial distribution corresponding to the estimate positions.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the representation
of each positioning support device is linked to the stored
identification of the represented positioning support device, and
wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are
further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the
mobile device to: detect a user selection of a displayed
representation of a positioning support device; determine the
stored identification of the positioning support device that is
linked to the selected representation of the positioning support
device; establish a connection with the positioning support device
using the determined identification; and use the established
connection for causing the positioning support device to store the
assembled data for future transmissions and to set the at least one
adapted configuration parameter value for use for future
transmissions.
29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein estimating a
position of a positioning support device comprises one of:
determining a location at which a highest signal strength has been
received from the positioning support device and using the location
as estimated position; and determining a location at which a
highest signal strength has been received from the positioning
support device, and using the location as estimated position in
case the highest signal strength exceeds a predetermined
threshold.
30. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the at least one
memory and the computer program code are further configured to,
with the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to:
determine a path between the representations of the positioning
support devices on the display; and display the path on the display
for guiding the user.
31. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the at least one
memory and the computer program code are further configured to,
with the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: cause
a marking of the representations of the positioning support devices
on the display that have been successfully configured.
32. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the at least one
memory and the computer program code are further configured to,
with the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to:
display information relating to a state of configured positioning
support devices; and display information relating to a coverage
achieved with configured positioning support devices.
33. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein at least one of
the following constellations applies: at least one of the plurality
of positioning support devices is or comprises a Bluetooth beacon;
and/or a Bluetooth beacon enabling Bluetooth low energy mode;
and/or a Bluetooth low energy beacon; and/or the radio signals
transmitted by each of the plurality of positioning support devices
are transmitted in a broadcast; and/or as advertising data; and/or
as advertising data in at least one air interface packet; and/or
using at least one advertising channel; and/or using at least one
advertising channel that is provided for broadcasts.
34.-37. (canceled)
38. A computer readable storage medium in which computer program
code is stored, the computer program code causing an apparatus to
perform the following when executed by a processor: transmit radio
signals using at least one default configuration parameter value;
obtain and store data which enables a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by the positioning
support device, wherein the characteristics of radio signals are
expected to be observable at different locations; obtain at least
one adapted configuration parameter value; and transmit radio
signals including the stored data using the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value.
39. A computer readable storage medium in which computer program
code is stored, the computer program code causing an apparatus to
perform the following when executed by a processor: obtain
characteristics of radio signals, the radio signals transmitted by
a positioning support device using at least one default
configuration parameter value and the characteristics of radio
signals measured by at least one mobile device at each of a
plurality of locations, and obtain indications of the locations of
measurement; assemble, based on the obtained characteristics of
radio signals and the obtained indications of the locations of
measurement, data which enables a determination of characteristics
of radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations; determine at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for the positioning support device;
and cause the positioning support device to store the assembled
data for future transmissions and to use the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for future transmissions.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The invention relates to the field of positioning and more
specifically to supporting a configuration of a device that is able
to transmit radio signals, the radio signals enabling mobile
devices to determine their position.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Satellite signal based positioning technologies, which are
mainly used outdoors, are usually not suited to deliver a
satisfactory performance when used for indoor positioning, since
satellite signals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS),
like the global positioning system (GPS), do not penetrate through
walls and roofs strongly enough for an adequate signal reception
indoors. Thus, these positioning technologies are not able to
deliver a performance indoors that would enable seamless, equal and
accurate navigation experience outdoors and indoors.
[0003] Therefore, several dedicated solutions for indoor
positioning have been developed and commercially deployed during
the past years. Examples comprise solutions that are based on
pseudolites, which are ground based GPS-like short-range beacons,
ultra-sound positioning solutions, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) based
positioning solutions, cellular network based positioning solutions
and wireless local area network (WLAN) based positioning
solutions.
[0004] A WLAN based positioning solution, for instance, may be
divided in two stages, a training stage and a positioning
stage.
[0005] In the training stage, learning data is collected. The data
may be collected in the form of fingerprints that are based on
measurements by mobile devices. A fingerprint may contain a
location estimate and measurements taken from the radio interface.
The location estimate may be for example GNSS based, sensor-based,
or manually inputted. Measurements taken from the radio interface
may comprise, by way of example, measured radio signal strengths
and an identification of WLAN access points transmitting the radio
signals. The training may be a continuous background process, in
which mobile devices of a large number of consumers are
continuously reporting measured data to a server. Consumers may
consent to a participation in such a data collection, if their
device is equipped with the needed functionality. This approach is
also referred to as crowd-sourcing. Alternatively or in addition,
mobile devices may be used for collecting fingerprints in a
systematic manner Collected fingerprint data may be uploaded to a
database in a server or in the cloud, where algorithms may be run
to generate radio models of WLAN access points and/or radio maps
for positioning purposes.
[0006] In the positioning stage, a mobile device may estimate its
current location based on own measurements taken from the radio
interface and on the data or a subset of data that is available
from the training stage. Model data or radio map data that has been
generated in the training stage may be transferred to mobile
devices by a server via the Internet as assistance data for use in
position determinations. Alternatively, model data and/or radio map
data may be stored in a positioning server to which the mobile
devices may connect to via the Internet for obtaining a position
estimate.
[0007] A similar approach could be used for a positioning that is
based on other types of terrestrial transmitters or on a
combination of different types of terrestrial transmitters.
SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] For a first aspect of the invention, an example embodiment
of a method comprises transmitting, by a positioning support
device, radio signals using at least one default configuration
parameter value. The method further comprises obtaining and
storing, by the positioning support device, data which enables a
determination of characteristics of radio signals transmitted by
the positioning support device, wherein the characteristics of
radio signals are expected to be observable at different locations.
The method further comprises obtaining, by the positioning support
device, at least one adapted configuration parameter value. The
method further comprises transmitting, by the positioning support
device, radio signals including the stored data using the at least
one adapted configuration parameter value.
[0009] For a second aspect of the invention, an example embodiment
of a method comprises, performed by at least one apparatus,
obtaining characteristics of radio signals, the radio signals
transmitted by a positioning support device using at least one
default configuration parameter value and the characteristics of
radio signals measured by at least one mobile device at each of a
plurality of locations, and obtaining indications of the locations
of measurement. The method further comprises assembling, based on
the obtained characteristics of radio signals and the obtained
indications of the locations of measurement, data which enables a
determination of characteristics of radio signals transmitted by
the positioning support device, wherein the characteristics of
radio signals are expected to be observable at different locations.
The method further comprises determining at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for the positioning support device.
The method further comprises causing the positioning support device
to store the assembled data for future transmissions and to use the
at least one adapted configuration parameter value for future
transmissions.
[0010] An example embodiment of a first apparatus for each aspect
of the invention comprises means for performing or for causing
performance of the actions of any embodiment of the example method
presented for the first aspect or the second aspect.
[0011] The means of the first apparatus for each aspect of the
invention may be implemented in hardware and/or software. They may
comprise for instance a processor for executing computer program
code for realizing the required functions, a memory storing the
program code, or both. Alternatively, they may comprise for
instance a circuit that is designed to realize the required
functions, for instance implemented in a chipset or a chip, like an
integrated circuit.
[0012] An example embodiment of a second apparatus for each aspect
of the invention comprises at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and
the computer program code configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the actions of
any embodiment of the example method presented for the first aspect
or the second aspect, respectively.
[0013] Any of the described apparatuses may comprise only the
indicated components or one or more additional components.
[0014] Moreover an example embodiment of a system is presented,
which comprises a plurality of example embodiments of any apparatus
of the first aspect. Optionally, the system may comprise in
addition one or more example embodiments of any apparatus of the
second aspect and/or one or more mobile devices that may desire to
determine their own position.
[0015] Moreover an example embodiment of a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium, in which computer program code is stored,
is presented for the first and second aspect of the invention. The
computer program code causes an apparatus to perform the actions of
any embodiment of the example method presented for the first aspect
or the second aspect when executed by a processor.
[0016] The computer readable storage medium may be for example a
disk or a memory or the like. The computer program code may be
stored in the computer readable storage medium in the form of
instructions encoding the computer-readable storage medium. The
computer readable storage medium may be intended for taking part in
the operation of a device, like an internal or external hard disk
of a computer, or be intended for distribution of the program code,
like an optical disc.
[0017] It is to be understood that any embodiment of the computer
program code by itself has to be considered an example embodiment
of the invention according to the first aspect or the second
aspect, respectively, as well. The computer program code could also
be distributed to several computer readable storage mediums.
[0018] In certain embodiments, any of the presented methods is an
information providing method, and any of the presented first
apparatuses is an information providing apparatus. In certain
embodiments, the means of the presented first apparatus are
processing means.
[0019] In certain embodiments, any of the presented methods is a
method for supporting a configuration of a positioning support
device. In certain embodiment, any of the presented apparatuses is
an apparatus for supporting a configuration of a positioning
support device.
[0020] It is to be understood that any feature presented for a
particular example embodiment may also be used in combination with
any other described example embodiment of any category and any
aspect.
[0021] Further, it is to be understood that the presentation of the
invention in this section is merely exemplary and non-limiting.
[0022] Other features of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however,
that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration
and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which
reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be
further understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and
that they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the
structures and procedures described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of an apparatus according to the first aspect;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of
a method according to the first aspect;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of an apparatus according to the second aspect;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of
a method according to the second aspect;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of a system comprising an example embodiment of an apparatus
according to the first aspect and an example embodiment of an
apparatus according to the second aspect;
[0028] FIG. 6a/b is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment
of operations in the system of FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example
presentation on a display during the operations of FIG. 6a/b;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example
presentation on a display during the operations of FIG. 6a/b;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third example
presentation on a display during the operations of FIG. 6a/b;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example
presentation on a display during the operations of FIG. 6a/b;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example
presentation on a display during the operations of FIG. 6a/b;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a further example
embodiment of a system comprising an example embodiment of an
apparatus according to the first aspect and an example embodiment
of an apparatus according to the second aspect;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an example
embodiment of an apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an example
embodiment of an apparatus; and
[0037] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates example removable storage
devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of an apparatus 100 according to the first aspect of the invention.
Apparatus 100 comprises a processor 101 and, linked to processor
101, a memory 102. Memory 102 stores computer program code for
supporting an adaptation of a configuration of a positioning
support device and for causing a transmission of stored data. The
computer program code is an example embodiment of the computer
program code according to the first aspect of the invention.
Processor 101 is configured to execute computer program code stored
in memory 102 in order to cause a positioning support device 100 to
perform desired actions.
[0039] Apparatus 100 may be a stationary positioning support
device. A stationary device is configured to be stationary when in
operation and/or fixed to a particular location. A stationary
device may be ground based and thus stationary with respect to
Earth or only stationary within a particular environment, like a
ship. Apparatus 100 may equally be a module, like a chip or
circuitry on a chip, for a stationary positioning support device.
Optionally, apparatus 100 may comprise various other components,
like a radio transmitter or radio transceiver, a further memory, a
further processor, etc.
[0040] An example operation of the system of FIG. 1 will now be
described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2. The operation
is an example embodiment of a method according to the first aspect
of the invention. Processor 101 and the program code stored in
memory 102 cause a positioning support device to perform the
operation when program code is retrieved from memory 102 and
executed by processor 101.
[0041] The positioning support device transmits radio signals using
at least one default configuration parameter value. (action 111)
The at least one default configuration parameter value may be set
for example during manufacture, or received for example via the
same radio interface via which the radio signals are transmitted,
or received for example via another data interface.
[0042] The positioning support device furthermore obtains and
stores data which enables a determination of characteristics of
radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations. (action 112) The data may be
received for example via the same radio interface via which the
radio signals are transmitted, or received for example via another
data interface. The data may be stored in memory 102 or in another
memory of the positioning support device.
[0043] The positioning support device furthermore obtains at least
one adapted configuration parameter value. (action 113) Adapted
configuration parameter values may be received for example via the
same radio interface via which the radio signals are transmitted,
or received for example via another data interface. In some
situations, an obtained adapted configuration parameter value may
be the same as the previously used default configuration parameter
value.
[0044] The positioning support device furthermore transmits radio
signals including the stored data using the at least one adapted
configuration parameter value. (action 114) The radio signals may
be transmitted via the same radio interface as the radio signals
that have been transmitted using the at least one default
configuration parameter value. It has to be noted that adapted
values may be obtained only for some of the required configuration
parameters; for any other configuration parameter, the positioning
support device may continue using the default value.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of an apparatus 200 according to the second aspect of the
invention. Apparatus 200 comprises a processor 201 and, linked to
processor 201, a memory 202. Memory 202 stores computer program
code for supporting a configuration of positioning support devices.
The computer program code is an example embodiment of the computer
program code according to the second aspect of the invention.
Processor 201 is configured to execute computer program code stored
in memory 202 in order to cause an apparatus to perform desired
actions.
[0046] Apparatus 200 may be a mobile device, like a mobile
communication device, or a stationary device, like a server. A
mobile device is configured to enable operation while the device is
moving. Apparatus 200 may equally be a module, like a chip,
circuitry on a chip or a plug-in board, for a device. Optionally,
apparatus 200 may comprise various other components, like a radio
transceiver and/or some other data interface, a user interface, a
further memory, a further processor, etc.
[0047] An example operation of apparatus 200 will now be described
with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. The operation is an
example embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of
the invention. Processor 201 and the program code stored in memory
202 cause an apparatus to perform the operation when program code
is retrieved from memory 202 and executed by processor 201. The
apparatus that is caused to perform the operation may be apparatus
200 or some other apparatus, for example but not necessarily a
device comprising apparatus 200.
[0048] The apparatus obtains characteristics of radio signals, the
radio signals transmitted by a positioning support device using at
least one default configuration parameter value and the
characteristics of radio signals measured by at least one mobile
device at each of a plurality of locations. The apparatus also
obtains indications of the locations of measurement. (action
211)
[0049] The apparatus furthermore assembles, based on the obtained
characteristics of radio signals and the obtained indications of
the locations of measurement, data which enables a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by the positioning
support device, wherein the characteristics of radio signals are
expected to be observable at different locations. (action 212)
[0050] The apparatus furthermore determines at least one adapted
configuration parameter value for the positioning support device.
(action 213)
[0051] The apparatus furthermore causes the positioning support
device to store the assembled data for future transmissions and to
use the at least one adapted configuration parameter value for
future transmissions. (action 214)
[0052] Conventional systems that enable a mobile device to
determine its own position based on location dependent
characteristics of radio signals of different transmitters require
an Internet connection to download data on the characteristics of
radio signals from the backend of a service provider. Some mobile
devices may not be equipped with a cell modem or a WLAN modem that
would enable them to access the Internet, though. A manual transfer
of the data using a wired link instead may be troublesome and
limited to few locations. Also for mobile devices that are
principally able to wirelessly access the Internet, availability of
the Internet may not be given whenever the data is be needed.
Furthermore, some devices may have a very small memory that is
unable to store a large amount of positioning assistance data, like
data for an entire region or data for an entire building. Such
devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, like smart
watches, smart bands, etc.
[0053] Certain embodiments of the first aspect of the invention
therefore provide that a positioning support device is enabled to
transmit information defining an association of observable
characteristics of its own radio signals with different locations.
Such an association may be considered a radio image. A plurality of
such positioning support devices may be distributed at a certain
site. Certain embodiments of the second aspect of the invention
provide that information defining a radio image is assembled and
that a positioning support device, which transmits the signals
generating the radio image, may be caused to transmit the assembled
information defining a radio image.
[0054] However, the cost and life time of a positioning support
device and the performance of a supported positioning of mobile
devices may depend on how such a positioning support device is
configured, for instance with respect to transmission power,
frequency of transmission and mode of operation. For example, an
increase of the transmission power used by a positioning support
device may reduce the life time of the positioning support device.
For example, positioning support devices that are operated in a
connectable mode may need more energy than positioning support
devices that are operated in a non-connectable mode. For example, a
higher frequency of transmission may need more energy than a lower
frequency of transmission and thus reduce the life time of the
positioning support device. Furthermore, the total number of
positioning support devices may have an impact on the cost to set
up a system.
[0055] Certain embodiments of the first aspect of the invention
therefore provide in addition that a positioning support device
uses first configuration parameter values when transmitting radio
signals during a training phase and second, adapted configuration
parameter values during a positioning phase once information
defining a radio image has been received and is available for
transmission at the positioning support device. Certain embodiments
of the second aspect of the invention provide in addition that an
apparatus providing the information defining the radio image also
determines and provides the adapted configuration parameters.
[0056] Certain embodiments of the invention, which enable
positioning support devices to transmit information on a radio
image resulting from their own radio signals, may have the effect
that they enable mobile devices to determine their own position
based on detected radio signals and based on data which enables a
determination of expected characteristics of radio signals at
different locations. Certain embodiments of the invention may have
the effect that they contribute to a self-contained positioning
system that does not require an Internet connection or a wired
connection to a server of a positioning provider to download the
required data to such mobile devices. Certain embodiments of the
invention may have the effect that they enable mobile devices with
very small memory to determine their own position using such data,
since the mobile devices will only need to store data for
positioning support devices that may be observed at their current
location. The number of positioning support devices for which data
has to be stored at the same time at a mobile device may thus be
quite small compared to the entire data for positioning support
devices of a whole site, like a whole building or a whole floor of
a building. Certain embodiments of the invention using an adaptive
configuration with respect to one or more configuration parameters
may furthermore have the effect that the performance of the
positioning may be improved and that the life time of positioning
support devices may be increased, in particular in case the power
supply of the positioning support devices is provided by an
integrated battery.
[0057] Apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus 200
illustrated in FIG. 3 and the methods illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4
may be implemented and refined in various ways.
[0058] The characteristics of radio signals that are expected to be
observable at different locations may comprise for example values
relating to received signal strengths of radio signals. Using
received signal strength related values as characteristics of radio
signals may have the effect that such values may be determined for
any kind of transmitter. It may further have the effect that they
may be measured at a receiving end without establishing any
connection with the transmitting end. A value relating to a
received signal strength of a radio signal may be for instance a
received signal strength indication RSSI or a physical Rx level in
dBm with a reference value of 1 mW, etc. Another kind of value
relating to a received signal strength of a radio signal may be for
instance an indication of a path loss of a radio signal at a
particular location. Various other characteristics may be used as
well, though, for instance a timing advance (TA) values or a
round-trip time values. The data enabling a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by a respective
positioning support device may comprise for example data of a radio
model for radio signals transmitted by the positioning support
device. The radio model may be of any feasible kind and in any
original, encoded, compressed or otherwise processed form.
[0059] In an example embodiment of the both aspects, the
positioning support device furthermore obtains the at least one
default configuration parameter value. To this end, the positioning
support device may receive, for example, radio signals comprising
the at least one default configuration parameter value. This may
have the effect that also the default configuration parameter
values may be set flexibly in the positioning support device
regardless of an original configuration during manufacture. In an
example embodiment of both aspects, the positioning support device
receives radio signals comprising the data which enables a
determination of characteristics of radio signals transmitted by
the positioning support device. In an example embodiment of both
aspects, the positioning support device receives radio signals
comprising the at least one adapted configuration parameter value.
Using radio signals for providing all parameter values and data
that may have to be received by the positioning support device may
have the effect that the positioning support device needs to
support only a single data interface in the form of a radio
interface that is also supported for the transmission of radio
signals by the positioning support device. It may further have the
effect that optionally, the parameter values and data may be
provided to the positioning support device by a mobile device
directly and without requiring a temporary wired connection.
[0060] In an example embodiment of both aspects, at least one of
the at least one default configuration parameter value and the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises a
transmission power value. This may have the effect that the
transmission power of a positioning support device may be selected
specifically for a given situation. It may be adapted for instance
depending on the distance to other positioning support devices
and/or depending on whether the positioning support device is
placed in a corridor or in an open space, etc. Using a default
configuration parameter value that is not adapted as transmission
power value may have the effect that the radio image that is
generated by transmissions of the positioning support device during
a positioning phase is essentially the same as during a training
phase.
[0061] In an example embodiment of both aspects, at least one of
the at least one default configuration parameter value and the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises a
transmission frequency value. During a training phase, the amount
of data that is transmitted may be basically the same for various
positioning support devices; a transmission frequency value that is
used as default configuration parameter may thus be set for example
to the same value for all positioning support devices. In order to
efficiently and precisely reflect the actual radio image that is
generated by radio signals transmitted by a positioning support
device, the amount of data which enables a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by a positioning
support device may vary from one positioning support device to the
next, though. Therefore, a transmission frequency value that is
used as adapted configuration parameter value may be adapted to the
respective amount of data that is to be transmitted.
[0062] In an example embodiment of both aspects, at least one of
the at least one default configuration parameter value and the at
least one adapted configuration parameter value comprises at least
one value relating to a mode of operation. The at least one value
relating to the mode of operation may indicate whether the
positioning support device is to support a connection to the
positioning support device. This may allow taking account of the
fact that a mode supporting a connection to the positioning support
device requires more energy at the positioning support device,
since the positioning support device has to look out for connection
requests. An example default configuration parameter value could be
a value that indicates that the positioning support device is to
support a connection to the positioning support device and an
example adapted configuration parameter value could be a value that
indicates that the positioning support device is not to support a
connection to the positioning support device. However, this would
mean that data and configuration of the positioning support device
may not be easily updated anymore once it has been configured. In
an alternative approach, the at least one default configuration
parameter value therefore comprises at least one value relating to
a mode of operation, which indicates that the positioning support
device is to support a connection to the positioning support device
in response to all transmissions of the positioning support device,
and the at least one adapted configuration parameter value
comprises at least one value relating to a mode of operation, which
indicates that the positioning support device is to support a
connection to the positioning support device in response to some
transmissions of the positioning support device and that the
positioning support device is not to support a connection to the
positioning support device in response to other transmissions of
the positioning support device. This may have the effect that some
of the transmissions of a configured positioning support device
still enable a connection to the positioning support device in
order to update data and/or configuration, while other
transmissions of a configured positioning support device do not
enable a connection to the positioning support device in order to
save energy. The number of transmissions, for instance in the form
of transmitted packets, that do not enable a connection may be
significantly higher than the number of transmissions that do
enable a connection, for instance at least twice as high or at
least ten times as high.
[0063] In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the
positioning support device further determines and transmits, along
with the stored data, some other information, like information
about a state of the positioning support device. The information
about a state of the positioning support device may comprise for
instance information about a battery state of the positioning
support device. This information--obtained at a receiving
device--may form the basis for a decision whether the positioning
support device or the battery of the positioning support device
should be exchanged. Alternatively or in addition, the information
about a state of the positioning support device may comprise for
instance information about a point of time at which the positioning
support device obtained the stored data. This information--obtained
at a receiving device--may form the basis for a decision whether
the data stored in the positioning support device and/or
configuration parameter values used by the positioning support
device may have to be updated. It is to be understood that various
other information may be included in the transmissions as well,
like an error detecting code, etc.
[0064] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the actions
are performed by an apparatus that is or belongs to a mobile
device. The apparatus may then further detect radio signals
transmitted by a plurality of positioning support devices in order
to obtain characteristics of radio signals for the plurality of
positioning support devices and identifications of the plurality of
positioning support devices. The apparatus may further estimate a
position of each of the plurality of positioning support devices
and store an indication of the estimated positions along with the
obtained identifications of the positioning support devices. The
apparatus may further cause the mobile device to display a
representation of the positioning support devices on a display with
a spatial distribution corresponding to the estimate positions.
This may have the effect that a user of the apparatus may be
supported in setting up a self-contained positioning system. The
user may be guided by the displayed information to the positioning
support devices to which configuration values and data is to be
provided by the mobile device.
[0065] Providing positioning support devices of a self-contained
positioning system with the required data on their own radio images
and possibly with configuration parameter values by means of a
mobile device may be facilitated and accelerated significantly if
visual information on the distribution of the positioning support
devices is provided to a user of the mobile device. It may further
reduce the likelihood that a user of the mobile device misses one
of the positioning support devices in the process.
[0066] A building, for instance, may have hundreds of positioning
support devices and it may be difficult for a person who is
installing the system to know or remember all locations of the
positioning support devices. A similar presentation may also be
used for a subsequent management of the positioning support
devices. It is to be understood that this approach of supporting a
user in setting up a self-contained positioning system--be it in
the form of a method, an apparatus, a computer program product or a
computer program--may also be considered an invention of its own,
that is, irrespective of whether the mobile device provides only
data to the positioning support devices or whether it also
determines and provides adapted configuration parameter values to
the positioning support devices.
[0067] In an example embodiment of the first aspect making use of a
representation of positioning support devices on a display, the
representation of each positioning support device may be linked to
the stored identification of the represented positioning support
device. The apparatus may then furthermore detect a user selection
of a displayed representation of a positioning support device. The
user selection may be enabled for instance by means of a touch
screen, but it may also be enabled by other means, for instance
keys or buttons. The apparatus may furthermore determine the stored
identification of the positioning support device that is linked to
the selected representation of the positioning support device. The
apparatus may furthermore establish a connection with the
positioning support device using the determined identification. The
apparatus may then use the established connection for causing the
positioning support device to store the assembled data for future
transmissions and to set the at least one adapted configuration
parameter value for use for future transmissions. This embodiment
may have the effect that the apparatus may scan for and respond to
transmissions by a specific positioning support device that may be
assumed, based on the user input, to be nearby. This may further
accelerate the configuration process.
[0068] In an example embodiment of the first aspect making use of a
representation of positioning support devices on a display,
estimating a position of a positioning support device comprises
determining a location at which a highest signal strength has been
received from the positioning support device and using the location
as estimated position. This may have the effect that the position
may be estimated easily and such that the estimated position lies
in any case within the coverage area of the positioning support
device, which may be sufficient for guiding a user to a location at
which a configuration of a positioning support device is possible.
In a variation, estimating a position of a positioning support
device may comprise determining a location at which a highest
signal strength has been received from the positioning support
device, and using the location as estimated position in case the
highest signal strength exceeds a predetermined threshold. This may
have the effect that the position may be estimated easily and
rather exactly. Whether or not a position of a positioning support
device may be estimated with this approach may serve at the same
time as an indication whether sufficient data has been collected
for the positioning support device.
[0069] An example embodiment of the first aspect making use of a
representation of positioning support devices on a display further
comprises determining a path between the representations of the
positioning support devices on the display, and causing the mobile
device to display the path on the display for guiding the user.
This may have the effect that a user of the mobile device may be
guided in a specified way from one positioning support device to
the next. This may help the user in visiting the positioning
support devices in a structured manner and in not missing any of
the positioning support devices. The path may be selected for
instance such that it always leads to the closest next positioning
support device starting from the first positioning support device
that is configured. It is to be understood that in certain
embodiments, the presented order may not be binding to the user. In
this case, the determined and presented path may optionally be
updated each time a further positioning support device has been
configured.
[0070] An example embodiment of the first aspect making use of a
representation of positioning support devices on a display further
comprises causing a marking of the representations of the
positioning support devices on the display that have been
successfully configured. The marking may be realized in any desired
manner, for instance by using a different color for the
representation of configured positioning support devices than for
the representation of not yet configured positioning support
devices.
[0071] An example embodiment of the first aspect further comprises
causing the mobile device to display information relating to a
state of configured positioning support devices. An example
embodiment of the first aspect further comprises causing the mobile
device to display information relating to a coverage achieved with
configured positioning support devices. Such information may help
in supplementing and/or maintaining the system.
[0072] In order to be able to transmit data, the positioning
support device may comprise any kind of terrestrial transmitter, in
particular, though not exclusively, any kind of non-cellular
terrestrial transmitter.
[0073] In an example embodiment of either aspect, a positioning
support device is or comprises at least one of a Bluetooth beacon,
a Bluetooth beacon enabling Bluetooth low energy mode, and a
Bluetooth low energy beacon. Bluetooth beacons are already
installed in many buildings. Furthermore, Bluetooth technologies
are supported by many mobile user devices by default, like by most
smartphones, tablets, laptops and feature phones. Using Bluetooth
beacons and/or BLE beacons as positioning support devices may thus
have the effect that the supported positioning may be based in some
embodiments on an existing infrastructure in buildings and/or on
existing capabilities in many mobile devices. As a result, the
approach may be globally scalable and have low maintenance and
deployment costs. The deployment of new infrastructure, including
for example beacons and tags, is possible but not necessary. In
addition, the end-user experience may be acceptable with these
technologies, since a horizontal positioning accuracy of 2-3 meters
as well as close to 100% reliability in floor detection may be
achieved. The beacons may be stand-alone devices or be integrated
into or attached to some other device. The use of Bluetooth low
energy may enable a positioning with limited energy consumption at
all involved devices.
[0074] A Bluetooth beacon that is employed for the invention may be
any kind of Bluetooth beacon complying with any present or future
standard. It is to be understood, however, that other types of
positioning support devices than variations of Bluetooth beacons
may be used as well, for instance tags or other devices that are
configured to transmit ultra-wideband (UWB) signals or ultra-sound
signals or any wireless signals that might emerge in the
future.
[0075] In an example embodiment of both aspects, the radio signals
transmitted by each of the plurality of positioning support devices
are transmitted in a broadcast and/or as advertising data, for
instance as advertising data in at least one air interface packet,
and/or using at least one advertising channel, for instance at
least one advertising channel that is provided for broadcasts. Each
of these embodiments may have the effect that a mobile device that
is to be positioned does not have to be enabled to open a
communication channel and that the positioning may thus be
accelerated. This may further have the effect that the data that is
transmitted in a single broadcast may be used by many mobile
devices. This may save bandwidth as well as energy at the
positioning support device. Advertising data is furthermore widely
used for discovery of radio transmitters, which may enable a
convenient adaptation of existing approaches for transmitting
conventional advertising data for transmitting the data stored in a
positioning support device according to the invention.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment
of a system supporting a configuration of positioning support
devices, the system making use of example embodiments of both
aspects of the invention.
[0077] The system comprises a plurality of BLE beacons, of which
only a single BLE beacon 300 is depicted, at least one mobile
survey device 310 and mobile devices, of which only a single mobile
device 320 is depicted, which may desire to determine their own
position.
[0078] BLE beacon 300 is an example positioning support device. It
comprises at least one processor 301 that is linked to at least one
memory 302 and to a BLE transceiver (TRX) 306. BLE beacon 300
further comprises a battery 309.
[0079] Processor 301 is configured to execute computer program
code, including computer program code stored in memory 302, in
order to cause BLE beacon 300 to perform desired actions.
[0080] Memory 302 may be a main memory of BLE beacon 300. Memory
302 is configured to store advertising data, parameter values and
computer program code. Memory 302 stores computer program code for
broadcasting advertising data using adjustable configuration
parameter values and computer program code for storing and updating
advertising data in memory 302. Some of the program code in memory
302 may be similar to program code in memory 102. In addition,
memory 302 may store computer program code configured to realize
other functions. In addition, memory 302 may also store other kind
of data.
[0081] Processor 301 and memory 302 may optionally belong to a
microcontroller unit (MCU) 303 of an integrated circuit on a single
chip. The integrated circuit or the chip may comprise in addition
various other components, for instance a further processor or
memory.
[0082] It is to be understood that the content of memory 302 may
also be distributed to several memories. For example, a first
memory may be provided for storing the computer program code and
parameter values and a second memory may be provided for storing
data.
[0083] BLE transceiver 306 is a component which enables beacon 300
to transmit and receive signals in line with any current or future
version of the Bluetooth standard supporting a low energy mode.
[0084] Battery 309 is connected to any component of BLE beacon 300
that requires power supply, for instance to BLE transceiver 306 and
to processor 301 of MCE 302. Battery 309 or a circuitry comprising
battery 309 may furthermore be configured to provide an indication
of the current battery state to processor 301. Battery 309 may or
may not be exchangeable.
[0085] It is to be understood that beacon 300 may comprise various
other components.
[0086] Component 303 or beacon 300 may be an example embodiment of
an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0087] While only a single BLE beacon 300 is depicted in FIG. 6, it
is to be understood that other beacons of the plurality of BLE
beacons may have the same or similar structure as beacon 300.
[0088] Mobile survey device 310 may be for instance a regular
mobile terminal, like a smartphone or general purpose tablet PC, or
a dedicated survey device. Mobile survey device 310 comprises a
processor 311 that is linked to a first memory 312, to a second
memory 314, to a BLE component 316, optionally to at least one GNSS
receiver 317 and to a display 318.
[0089] Processor 311 is configured to execute computer program
code, including computer program code stored in memory 312, in
order to cause mobile survey device 310 to perform desired
actions.
[0090] Memory 312 stores computer program code for obtaining
results of measurements on BLE signals, computer program code for
obtaining location information, computer program code for
generating radio image data, computer program code for determining
suitable configuration parameter values, computer program code for
guiding a user of mobile survey device 310 and computer program
code for configuring BLE beacons. All of this computer program code
may belong for instance to a survey application. Some of the
program code in memory 312 may be similar to program code in memory
202. In addition, memory 312 may store computer program code
configured to realize other functions, for instance computer
program code for providing feedback to a user of mobile survey
device 310 on the achieved quality of a survey, etc. In addition,
memory 312 may also store any kind of data.
[0091] Processor 311 and memory 312 may optionally belong to a chip
or an integrated circuit 313, which may comprise in addition
various other components, for instance a further processor or
memory.
[0092] Memory 314 is configured to store data, including for
example results of measurements on BLE signals, locations of
measurement and generated radio image data. It may be configured to
store any other desired data as well. It may store for instance a
radio image generation library, which may comprise any basic
information that is required for generating radio image data.
[0093] BLE component 316 includes at least a BLE transceiver (TRX).
BLE component 316 is configured to scan for radio signals that are
broadcast by BLE beacons 300 and to perform radio measurements on
such radio signals. In addition, BLE component 316 is configured to
enable mobile survey device 310 to establish a BLE connection with
BLE beacons 300. It is to be understood that any computer program
code required for receiving, evaluating and transmitting BLE
signals may be stored in an own memory of BLE component 316 and
executed by an own processor of BLE component 316, or it may be
stored for example in memory 312 and executed for example by
processor 311.
[0094] The at least one GNSS receiver 317 may comprise any kind of
global navigation satellite signal receiver, for example a GPS
receiver and/or a GLONASS receiver and/or a GALILEO receiver. It
may be configured to receive corresponding satellite signals and to
determine the current position of mobile survey device 310 based on
the signals, possibly using provided assistance data. It is to be
understood that any computer program code required to this end may
be stored in an own memory of GNSS receiver 317 and executed by an
own processor of GNSS receiver 317, or it may be stored for example
in memory 312 and executed for example by processor 311.
[0095] Display 318 may be for instance a touch sensitive
display.
[0096] It is to be understood that mobile survey device 310 may
comprise various other components, like further user input and
output means, a cellular communication component enabling a
communication via cellular communication networks and/or a WLAN
component enabling a communication via WLANs.
[0097] Component 313 or mobile survey device 310 may be an example
embodiment of an apparatus according to the second aspect of the
invention.
[0098] It is to be understood that several mobile survey devices
310 could be provided for use in the system of FIG. 5.
[0099] Mobile device 320 may be for instance a regular mobile
terminal, like a smartphone or general purpose tablet PC, or it may
be for instance an IoT device, like a smart watch or a smart band,
etc. Mobile device 320 is configured to determine its own position
based on measurements on BLE signals and based on radio image data
extracted from BLE signals. Furthermore, while the invention
enables a positioning of mobile devices that have neither a
cellular communication component enabling a communication via
cellular communication networks nor a WLAN component enabling a
communication via WLANs, it is to be understood that certain
embodiments of mobile device 320 may comprise such components as
well.
[0100] The operations in the system of FIG. 5 belong partly to a
training phase, in which BLE beacons are configured and provided
with positioning support data, and partly to a positioning phase,
in which BLE beacons broadcast positioning support data to enable
mobile devices to determine their own position. It is to be
understood that some operations of the training phase may be
performed while the positioning phase has already started. The
operations of the training phase may be performed only once.
Alternatively, it may be repeated at fairly long intervals in order
to enable updates in the case of changes in the arrangement of BLE
beacons or changes in the radio environment due to construction
measures, like relocation of internal walls, etc. Further
alternatively, it may be repeated partially for supplementing the
system and/or for enabling a replacement of individual BLE
beacons.
[0101] BLE supports a transmission of data channel packets and of
advertising channel packets. The following example details are
based on the Specification of the Bluetooth.RTM. System Version 4.2
of Dec. 2, 2014 by the Bluetooth SIG. For further details,
reference is made to this specification.
[0102] An LE advertising broadcast channel is provided to set up
connections between two devices or to communicate broadcast
information between unconnected devices. The LE advertising
broadcast channel is a set of three fixed physical channels.
[0103] Each BLE packet that is transmitted over the air interface
has a defined packet format that is used on a link layer for both
advertising channel packets and data channel packets. The packet
comprises a preamble of 1 octet, an access address of 4 octets, a
packet data unit (PDU) of 2 to 257 octets, and a cyclic redundancy
check value (CRC) of 3 octets. Advertising channel packets use a
fixed value for the preamble and for the access address of the BLE
packet. When a BLE packet is transmitted in an advertising physical
channel, the PDU is a specifically defined advertising channel PDU.
The CRC is calculated over the PDU.
[0104] The specifically defined advertising channel PDU comprises a
header of 16 bits and a payload.
[0105] The header comprises, among other fields, a field for
indicating a PDU type, a TxAdd field and a length field for
indicating the payload length in octets. The possible range of the
payload length is 6 to 37 octets.
[0106] The PDU type field comprises four bits. The advertising
channel PDU types indicated by these bits comprise a type ADV_IND
for a connectable undirected advertising event, a type
ADV_DIRECT_IND for a connectable directed advertising event, a type
ADV_NONCONN_IND for a non-connectable undirected advertising event
and a type ADV_SCAN_IND for a scannable undirected advertising
event.
[0107] The payload comprises an AdvA field of 6 octets for
indicating a beacon's public or random device address, as indicated
by the one bit TxAdd field in the header. The payload further
comprises an AdvData field of 0 to 31 octets. The AdvData field may
receive advertising data of any type that is stored in the
advertising data section of main memory 302 of BLE beacon 300.
[0108] It is to be understood that any other packet format could be
used just the same, for example though not exclusively a packet
structure providing for an advertising data field of up to 255
octets in line with future Bluetooth specifications, etc.
[0109] Example operations in the system of FIG. 5 will now be
described with reference to a flow chart presented in FIGS. 6a and
6b. Example operations at mobile survey device 310 are presented on
the left hand side. Processor 311 and some of the program code
stored in memory 312 may cause mobile survey device 310 to perform
the presented actions when the program code is retrieved from
memory 312 and executed by processor 311. This may be the case,
when a survey agent using mobile survey device 310 activates a
survey application. Example operations at BLE beacon 300 are
presented on the right hand side. Processor 301 and some of the
program code stored in memory 302 may cause BLE beacon 300 to
perform the presented actions when the program code is retrieved
from memory 302 and executed by processor 301.
[0110] A survey agent using mobile survey device 310 is requested
to distribute a plurality of BLE beacons at a localization site, by
way of example in a large building like a shopping mall. The BLE
beacons may be placed for example in the form of a grid with a
specified distance, approximately, between the BLE beacons, such
that the location of each BLE beacon may be considered a grid point
of the grid. In an example embodiment, the specified distance may
be set to 8 meters. The survey agent may be guides by a floor plan
displayed on display 318. The BLE beacons 300 may or may not be
physically fixed to their location, but in any case, it is assumed
that all or most of them will remain at their location for a longer
time.
[0111] When the survey agent has placed a BLE beacon 300 at a
desired location, the survey agent activates BLE beacon 300. During
manufacture, BLE beacon 300 may have been configured to enter a
standby state when activated. In the standby state, only a scanning
may be performed. The survey agent uses mobile survey device 310
for establishing a connection to BLE beacon 300 and for providing
default configuration parameter values to BLE beacon 300. (action
401)
[0112] The default configuration parameter values comprise a
default transmission power. The default transmission power may be
selected for instance under consideration of the specified distance
between the BLE beacons. The transmission power and thus the
coverage range of the BLE beacons may be selected such that with
the specified distance between BLE beacons, at least a
predetermined number of BLE beacons may be expected to be observed
at each location of the localization site at which a positioning of
mobile devices is to be supported. With a specified distance of 8
meters, the default transmission power may be set for instance to 0
dB. It is to be understood that the same default transmission power
may or may not be used for all beacons. For instance, the beacons
may be classified into different classes and a different default
transmission power value may be defined for each class. In an
example embodiment, the two classes may be beacons placed in
corridors and beacons placed in open spaces. The default
transmission power of beacons placed in corridors may be set to 0
dB and the default transmission power of beacons placed in open
space may be set to -5 dB. Other differentiations may be used as
well. For instance, if it is not possible to use approximately the
specified distance in certain areas, a higher default transmission
power value may be selected. If a single default transmission power
value is used for all beacons, the value may be selected
automatically by mobile survey device 310 or be based on a single
user input to mobile survey device 310. If different default
transmission power values are used, the appropriate value may be
selected for instance based on an individual user input for each
BLE beacon.
[0113] Enabling a setting of the transmission power may allow using
the most cost efficient compromise between the number of required
BLE beacons and a long life time of the BLE beacons, while ensuring
at the same time a good coverage throughout the building.
[0114] The default configuration parameter values furthermore
comprise a default frequency for transmitting advertising packets
during the training phase. The default frequency may be set for
instance to 2 Hz. It is to be understood that any other value may
be used as well.
[0115] The default configuration parameter values furthermore
comprise a default mode. The default mode may be an advertising
mode, in which the beacon transmits advertising packets indicating
that the beacon is connectable. This mode is required for the
training phase in order to enable mobile survey device 310 to cause
BLE beacon 300 to store radio image data and to set adapted
configuration parameter values.
[0116] The default configuration parameter values furthermore
comprise a default address type value indicating that the address
used in the advertising packets is to be the public address of the
beacon rather than a random address.
[0117] BLE beacon 300 receives the default configuration parameter
values and sets internal parameter values accordingly. (action
501)
[0118] The set mode of operation causes BLE beacon 300 to broadcast
advertising packets. (action 502)
[0119] BLE beacon 300 broadcasts advertising packets on the LE
advertising channel using the previously received default
configuration parameter values. That is, BLE beacon 300 uses the
indicated transmission power and the indicated transmission
frequency. The transmission interval may also comprise a random
component in order to enable mobile devices to detect signals from
all BLE beacons in the neighborhood. Moreover, within the packets,
the PDU type field of the header section of the advertising PDU may
include the four bits defining the PDU type ADV_IND to indicate
that the packets belong to a connectable undirected advertising
event. Moreover, the TxAdd field of the header section of the
advertising PDU may be set to "0" to indicate that the included
address is a public address. The AdvA field of the payload section
of the advertising PDU may include the beacon's 6 octet MAC address
as a public address.
[0120] In action 502, no data may be entered into the AdvData field
of the payload section of the advertising PDU when assembling and
broadcasting advertising packets, and thus the field may have a
length of zero octets. Such advertising packets may be considered
"empty" advertising packets. It is to be understood, however, that
if the advertising data section of main memory 302 of BLE beacon
300 already contains some data, this data may be contained in or
distributed to AdvData fields of the broadcast advertising
packets.
[0121] Once all BLE beacons for the building have been distributed
and configured with default configuration parameter values, the
survey agent is requested to visit all areas of interest at which a
positioning is to be supported so that mobile survey device 310 may
survey the radio environment of the building. (action 402) The
completion of the configuration task may be detected at mobile
survey device 310 for instance based on an input of the survey
agent to mobile survey device 310.
[0122] For the survey, mobile survey device 310 may set BLE
component 316 to a scanning mode. BLE component 316 scans for radio
signals from BLE beacons in the environment at regular intervals
while the survey agent is slowly moving through the building. The
survey agent may be guided again, for instance, by a floor plan
displayed on display 318 of mobile survey device 310. Whenever BLE
component 316 detects at least one BLE radio signal during a scan,
BLE component 316 measures the received signal strength (RSS) of
each radio signal and extracts a medium access control (MAC)
address of the transmitting BLE beacon 300 from the radio signal.
The measured radio signal strength values may then be considered to
be characteristics of the observed radio signals and the MAC
addresses may be considered identifiers (ID) of the BLE beacons
transmitting the radio signals.
[0123] In addition, an indication of the current position of mobile
survey device 310 is obtained for each location at which
measurements are performed during a scan. The survey agent may be
required for example to enter information on a respective
measurement location manually, for instance based on a grid
covering the floor plan presented on display 318. The survey agent
may be enabled to enter such information in various ways via any
kind of user interface. The input as such may be enabled for
instance by means of a touch sensitive screen of display 318 or by
means of keys and/or buttons of mobile survey device 310 in
combination with a display of mobile survey device 310 that is not
touch sensitive. Alternatively, GNSS receiver 317 may be activated
automatically as well by mobile survey device 310 when BLE
component 316 is activated. GNSS receiver 317 may capture satellite
signals and estimate the position of mobile survey device 310 at
the same regular intervals in which scans for BLE radio signals are
performed, for example once per second. Since the satellite signals
may be difficult to receive within buildings, such a positioning
may be an assisted GNSS (AGNSS) based positioning using available
assistance data. The assistance data may be provided for example by
some GNSS assistance server via a cellular communication network.
The indicated position may have a horizontal component, for
instance a longitude value and a latitude value, or easting and
northing values. In addition, it may have an indication of the
floor on which the survey agent is located. The indication of the
floor may be obtained for instance in either case from a general
input by the survey agent when reaching a new floor. Alternatively,
the position estimated by GNSS receiver 317 may include an altitude
component, and the altitude may be mapped to a respective floor
based on a reference altitude of the ground floor and some general
or building specific information on the height of floors.
[0124] In the case of a GNSS based positioning, an indication of
the respective position of the survey agent may be indicated on the
floor plan as well as a further guidance. Alternatively, the survey
agent may try to uniformly pass through all parts of the building
on his own. Some feedback may equally be given to the survey agent
on display 318 to indicate which areas have already been
covered.
[0125] It is to be understood that alternatively or in addition,
other means may be used for determining the locations of
measurements. For example, at least one motion sensor, like an
accelerometer and/or a gyroscope, and/or a magnetometer may also be
used in combination with manual input or GNSS estimated positions
to collect information on the locations of measurements.
[0126] The RSS values and the associated BLE beacon IDs obtained
during a scan as well as the obtained indication of the location of
measurement are stored in memory 314.
[0127] Once the survey of the building has been completed, mobile
survey device 310 assembles radio image data separately for each
BLE beacon 300 based on the stored data. (action 403)
[0128] To this end, mobile survey device 310 defines for each BLE
beacon 300 for which data is stored a grid, with grid points
corresponding to geographical locations in the building, such that
the grid covers at least the coverage area of the particular BLE
beacon 300. The grid may be of predetermined size; or the size may
be adjusted based on the locations of measurements at which signals
of the particular BLE beacon 300 have been detected. The grid may
be a three-dimensional grid having for instance the form of a
cuboid, in order to cover different floors of the building.
Alternatively, a separate rectangular two-dimensional grid may be
defined for each floor of the building on which radio signals of
the particular BLE beacon 300 have been detected. Mobile survey
device 310 then maps each stored RSS value that is associated in
memory 314 with the BLE beacon identifier of the particular BLE
beacon 300 to a grid point of the grid defined for this BLE beacon
300. The grid point to which the RSS value is mapped corresponds to
a geographical location that is closest to the location of
measurement associated in memory 314 with the RSS value. If several
RSS values for the same BLE beacon 300 would have to be mapped to
the same grid point, these RSS values may be averaged and the
average value may be mapped to the grid point of the grid that is
defined for the particular BLE beacon 300.
[0129] There may be some grid points of the grids to which no RSS
values have been mapped. In case the further processing requires
grids with an RSS value mapped to each grid point, these grid
points without RSS values may be provided with RSS values by
interpolating surrounding RSS values if possible, and by
extrapolating neighboring RSS values otherwise.
[0130] The assembly of radio image data for a particular BLE beacon
300 may include various additional processing operations.
[0131] For example, mobile survey device 310 may compress the radio
image data of each BLE beacon 300. There are several options to
realize such a compression of radio image data.
[0132] The radio image may be compressed for instance by applying a
discrete cosine transform (DCT) to the radio image data. If the RSS
values mapped to the grid points of a K-dimensional grid are
represented as elements of a K-dimensional matrix, applying a DCT
to this matrix will result a matrix of the same dimension and size.
The DC component, which indicates the mean of the RSS values in the
radio image, may optionally be processed separately. In this case,
the DC component may be subtracted from the RSS values in the radio
image and the DCT may be applied to this zero mean radio image.
Each matrix element of the resulting matrix may be considered a DCT
component that is composed of a DCT index defining the position in
the matrix and a DCT value. A compression may now be achieved by
selecting and keeping only the DCT components with the highest DCT
values. The DCT indices of the selected DCT components and/or the
DCT values of the selected DCT components may be compressed further
using any desired lossless compression technique. A DCT compression
of the radio image of a BLE beacon 300 may be suited to reduce the
size of the image to few tens of bytes. It is to be understood that
other frequency transforms than DCT may be used as well, which may
be more complex but not require a grid with RSS values mapped to
each grid point.
[0133] Alternatively, the radio image may be compressed for
instance by computing parameters of a parametric radio model of the
radio environment of each BLE beacon 300, like a path loss model,
based on the radio image data. This would allow representing the
radio image of each BLE beacon 300 by a limited set of parameter
values, like the location of the BLE beacon 300, a transmission
power or apparent transmission power of the BLE beacon 300, and a
path loss exponent. The apparent transmission power may be a
transmission power that is observed or estimated to be observable
at a reference distance from an estimated location of the BLE
beacon 300, for instance at a distance of 1 meter. Such parameter
values may be computed for instance using a Gauss-Newton method.
While a compression by means of a frequency transform may enable a
more accurate reconstruction of the original radio image, the use
of a parametric radio model may enable a particularly high
compression of data. The latter approach would equally not require
a filling up missing RSS values of the grid.
[0134] Any basic data that may be required for actions 401 to 403,
like coordinates of an origin, floor plans, grid sizes and grid
steps, default values, coding tables, etc., may be comprised in the
radio image generation library that is stored in memory 314.
[0135] Various further processing operations, including for
instance encryption operations, may be applied to the radio image
data, as long as the original radio image data may be reconstructed
with satisfactory quality.
[0136] Mobile survey device 310 now determines adapted
configuration parameter values for each BLE beacon 300 for which
radio image data has been assembled. (action 404) The transmission
power value and the address type value should remain the same as
before, since they form the basis of the assembled radio image
data. However the values of other parameters, like the transmission
frequency and the mode of operation, may be adapted.
[0137] The transmission frequency may be determined individually
for each BLE beacon 300. A respective transmission frequency value
may be selected such that the assembled radio image data may be
transmitted within a specified period of time by each BLE beacon
300, for example within one second. It is to be understood that any
other period of time may be selected just the same. The frequency
may thus depend on the size of the radio image data that has been
assembled for a respective BLE beacon 300. With efficiently
compressed radio image data and a payload enabling advertising data
of up to 31 octets, a transmission frequency between 2 Hz and 5 Hz
may generally be sufficient.
[0138] Furthermore, configuration parameter values may be
determined that relate to the mode of operation of the BLE beacons.
Broadcasting non-connectable advertising packets requires less
energy than broadcasting connectable advertising packets. Using a
non-connectable mode may thus result in a longer life time of the
BLE beacons. However, in order to enable a later update of the BLE
beacons, the BLE beacons may be desired still to broadcast
connectable advertising packets occasionally. The configuration
parameter values may thus be selected such that they define an
interleaving of a connectable mode and a non-connectable mode. The
interleaving may be selected such, for instance, that packets
representing a non-connectable event are transmitted more often
than packets representing a connectable event. For example, a
respective packet representing a connectable event may be broadcast
after respective ten packets representing a non-connectable event.
The required configuration parameter values--that is an
identification of the PDU types and the number of packets to be
used with each PDU type--may be the same for all beacons and be
predefined in mobile survey device 310, e.g. as a part of the
survey application. Alternatively, the beacons could store for
instance several definitions for the use of operation modes, so
that mobile survey device 310 only has to select a respective
identifier for a suitable definition.
[0139] The survey agent is now required to revisit the coverage
area of all BLE beacons so that mobile survey device 310 may
provide the assembled radio image data and the determined
configuration parameter values to the BLE beacons. The survey agent
may be guided to the BLE beacons by mobile survey device 310.
[0140] To this end, mobile survey device 310 estimates the location
of all BLE beacons for which radio image data has been assembled in
action 403. (action 405)
[0141] The estimated location of a BLE beacon 300 may correspond to
the location at which the highest received signal strength of
signals transmitted by BLE beacon 300 was measured in action 402.
Optionally, the location of measurement of the highest received
signal strength value may only be used as estimated location, in
case this highest received signal strength value exceeds a
predetermined threshold value, for example -80 dB. It is to be
understood that any other threshold value may be used as well. If
such a received signal strength value is not available, measurement
data for BLE beacon 300 may be considered not sufficient as a basis
for reliable radio image data. The beacon IDs of such beacons may
be stored separately for further consideration, e.g. in the scope
of a later, supplementary data collection.
[0142] It is to be understood that the locations may also be
estimated in the scope of action 403, in particular though not
exclusively in case the assembled radio image data includes the
estimated location of a BLE beacon 300 as a parameter value of a
parametric radio model.
[0143] Based on the estimated beacon locations, mobile survey
device 310 generates and displays an interactive image. (action
406) The image is displayed on display 318 of mobile survey device
310. The image may include the floor plan and a representation of
the estimated location of each BLE beacon 300 in the floor plan.
The representation may be colored. Optionally, the representation
of each BLE beacon 300 may include an indication of the MAC address
of the BLE beacon 300. The display area of the representation of
each BLE beacon 300 is linked to a MAC address of the respective
BLE beacon 300 stored in memory 314. Data on the links may be
stored as well in memory 314.
[0144] An example of a displayed image (without floor plan) is
schematically illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 presents display 318,
on which three BLE beacons are illustrated by a respective ellipse
indicating the MAC address of the respective beacon, here indicated
for reasons of simplicity as MAC Address 1, 2 and 3. The
distribution of the representation on display 318 corresponds to
the distribution of the BLE beacons on a particular floor of the
building. The ellipses are colored white, but when using a color
display, they could be colored red, for instance. The color may
indicate that none of the BLE beacons has been provided with
assembled radio image data and adapted configuration parameter
values so far.
[0145] Mobile survey agent may now approach the closest BLE beacon
taking account of the representations on display 318. When mobile
survey agent assumes that he is fairly close to one of the
represented beacons, he may touch the corresponding representation
of the BLE beacon on display 318.
[0146] Referring to the example of FIG. 7, for instance, the survey
agent may assume that the BLE beacon with MAC Address 1 is closest
to his current position, move to the estimated and displayed
location of this BLE beacon and touch the representation of this
BLE beacon on display 318.
[0147] Mobile survey device 310 detects the user selection. (action
407)
[0148] Mobile survey device 310 looks up the associated stored MAC
address of the selected BLE beacon 300. (action 408)
[0149] Then, mobile survey device 310 listens to the LE advertising
channel to detect advertising packets with the determined MAC
address in the PDU of the packets. Due to the default configuration
used for the broadcasts of action 502, BLE beacon 300 is in a
connectable mode. Once mobile survey device 310 detects the
appropriate MAC address in an advertising packet, it may therefore
request BLE beacon 300 to establish a BLE connection. (action
409)
[0150] Since BLE beacon 300 is operating in the connectable mode,
it scans for and receives the connection request and establishes
the connection to requesting mobile survey device 310. (action
503)
[0151] Once a connection with a particular BLE beacon 300 has been
established, mobile survey device 310 causes BLE beacon 300 to
store the radio image data that has been assembled specifically for
this BLE beacon 300 and to set the configuration parameter values
that have been determined (in part) specifically for this BLE
beacon 300. (action 410)
[0152] BLE beacon 300 receives the radio image data and the adapted
configuration parameter values via the established connection,
stores the radio image data in the advertising data section of
memory 302 and sets internal configuration parameters to the
received adapted configuration parameter values in a corresponding
section of memory 302. The received and stored radio image data
contains exclusively radio image data for the BLE beacon 300
receiving the data. (action 504) In addition, BLE beacon 300 may
add an indication of time to the advertising data section. This
time may be provided by mobile survey device 310 as the time at
which the radio image data has been assembled, or it may be the
current time of an internal clock of BLE beacon 300.
[0153] BLE beacon 300 furthermore determines the state of its
battery 309 and adds an indication of the battery state to the
advertising data section. (action 505)
[0154] It is to be understood that mobile survey device 310 may
have knowledge of the amount of data that is added by BLE beacon
300 to the advertising data section and take account of this
additional data when determining the transmission frequency in
action 404.
[0155] Thereafter, BLE beacon 300 broadcasts advertising packets
using the default transmission power, the adapted transmission
frequency and the adapted, alternating modes of operation, and
including a respective indication of the used mode of operation and
the MAC address of BLE beacon 300 in the packets. The used modes of
operation may be indicated for example by the four bits of the PDU
type field defined for ADV_IND when BLE beacon 300 is in
connectable mode and for ADV_NONCONN_IND when BLE beacon 300 is in
non-connectable mode, respectively. The content of the data stored
in the advertising data section of main memory 302, including with
the radio image data of BLE beacon 300, is distributed to the
AdvData fields of the payload of the advertising PDUs of the
required number of subsequent advertising packets. (action 506) The
battery state in the advertising data section of memory 302 may be
updated in action 505 for example every second or at other regular
intervals.
[0156] In the meantime, mobile survey device 310 continues with
configuring further BLE beacons.
[0157] When mobile survey device 310 has successfully configured a
BLE beacon 300 with action 410, mobile survey device 310 updates
the image that is displayed on display 318. (action 411)
Optionally, mobile survey device 310 may obtain a confirmation
whether the configuration has indeed been successful by checking
whether the configured BLE beacon 300 is now advertising its radio
image data in line with action 506. The update of the displayed
image may comprise a change of color of the representation of the
BLE beacon 300 that has been (presumably) successfully configured.
Mobile survey device 310 may further determine and present a path
to the respective next BLE beacon for all remaining BLE beacons
that still have to be configured.
[0158] An example of an updated displayed image is schematically
illustrated in FIG. 8. The image corresponds to the image in FIG.
7, except that the representation of the BLE beacon with MAC
Address 1 is now colored black instead of white and that arrows are
indicated between the representations of the BLE beacons. The
changed color may indicate that the beacon with MAC Address 1 has
already been provided with assembled radio image data and adapted
configuration parameter values. When using a color display, the
color may be changed for instance from red to green. The arrows
indicate the respective closest BLE beacon starting from the BLE
beacon that has just been configured and at which the survey agent
can be expected to be located. In the presented example, the arrows
point from the BLE beacon with MAC Address 1 to the BLE beacon with
MAC Address 2 and further from the BLE beacon with MAC Address 2 to
the BLE beacon with MAC Address 3.
[0159] Based on the updated display, the survey agent may now move
to the indicated location of the next BLE beacon with MAC Address 2
and upon arrival select this BLE beacon by touching the
representation of the BLE beacon on display 318. Mobile survey
device 310 may then continue with actions 407 to 411.
[0160] An example of a displayed image further updated after such
an iteration is schematically illustrated in FIG. 9. The image
corresponds to the image in FIG. 8, except that also the
representation of further successfully configured BLE beacon with
MAC Address 2 is now colored black instead of white and that the
arrow pointing from BLE beacon with MAC Address 1 to BLE beacon
with MAC Address 2 has been removed again.
[0161] It is to be understood that the survey agent does note have
to be obliged to follow the indicated order. Rather he may be
enabled to select any BLE beacon for configuration according to his
convenience. In case the survey agent deviates from the indicated
path, the path to the remaining BLE beacons can be updated from the
location of the last configured BLE beacon.
[0162] An example of an alternative to the further updated image
schematically illustrated in FIG. 9 is schematically illustrated in
FIG. 10. In this case, the survey agent decided to first configure
the BLE beacon with MAC Address 3 instead of the BLE beacon with
MAC Address 2 after having configured BLE beacon with MAC Address
1. The image thus corresponds to the image in FIG. 8, except that
also the representation of the further successfully configured the
BLE beacon with MAC Address 3 is now colored black instead of
white. Moreover, the arrow pointing from the BLE beacon with MAC
Address 1 to the BLE beacon with MAC Address 2 has been removed,
and the orientation of the arrow pointing from the BLE beacon with
MAC Address 2 to the BLE beacon with MAC Address 3 has been
reversed.
[0163] Actions 407 to 411 are repeated until all BLE beacons have
been configured. Thereafter, survey agent may be provided by mobile
survey device 310 with a message on display 318 indicating
completion of the configuration process. (action 412)
[0164] Such a message may be conveyed for example by means of a
final updated displayed image, as schematically illustrated in FIG.
11. The image corresponds to the image in FIG. 7, except that the
representations of all BLE beacons are now colored black instead of
white, indicating that all BLE beacons have been successfully
configured.
[0165] This image or some additional message may trigger the survey
agent to perform additional steps, like testing the performance of
the system.
[0166] The survey agent may cause mobile survey device 310 to test
the system in various ways, and either right after the
configuration has been completed or at some later point of time.
(action 413) The testing may equally be supported by information
that is presented on display 318 or via some other user
interface.
[0167] Some testing may make use of a presentation that is based on
an image as schematically presented in action 11. For instance,
after a while the survey agent may revisit the building and move
through the coverage area of all represented BLE beacons. When the
survey agent may assume to be close to a particular BLE beacon
based on the indicated representations of BLE beacons, he may tap
onto the representation of the particular BLE beacon to cause
information on the remaining battery charge of the BLE beacon and
the time when the BLE beacon was configured to be displayed on
display 318. The information may be obtained by mobile survey
device 310 by listening to the advertising packets broadcast by the
BLE beacons and by extracting corresponding information. BLE
beacons with low battery state may be replaced or their batteries
may be replaced, if possible. BLE beacons with old data may be
updated, for instance to take account of reconstructions within the
building that may have an effect on the current radio image
generated by transmissions of the BLE beacon.
[0168] Display 318 or any other user interface may also present to
a survey agent information on the health of the self-contained
positioning system as a whole. After setting up the system, a
survey agent may visit the site and collect data on the site.
Mobile survey device 312 may determine and plot information about
the number of BLE beacons observed per location and information
about estimated locations of BLE beacons. The locations may be
estimated as indicated above with reference to action 405. An area
with a low number of observed BLE beacons and/or no proximate BLE
beacons may be identified as problematic area. One or more BLE
beacons may be missing from this area, or one or more BLE beacons
may not be operating any more. In these areas, BLE beacons may be
added and/or replaced with new BLE beacons in order to enhance the
performance of the system.
[0169] The radio image data transmitted by a plurality of BLE
beacons in the building may be used by various mobile devices to
determine their own position in the building without the need to
download a large amount of assistance data via the Internet. A
mobile device 320 may simply measure the received signal strengths
of transmissions of BLE beacons in the environment, extract the
radio image data from the transmissions, and match the measured
received signal strength values with the radio image data of one or
more BLE beacons. It is to be understood that mobile device 320
does not have to extract and process radio image data repeatedly
from the broadcast of the same BLE beacon each time a transmission
of this BLE beacon is detected and to be used in positioning
computations. Received and processed radio image data may be stored
in mobile device 320 for instance for a predetermined period of
time or for a predetermined number of BLE beacons 300 that have
been detected most recently by mobile device 320.
[0170] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another example
embodiment of a system supporting a configuration of positioning
support devices, the system making use of example embodiments of
both aspects of the invention.
[0171] The system comprises a plurality of BLE beacons 600, a
server 610 and mobile devices 620 that may desire to determine
their own position. Server 610 may be a server that is provided as
a central node for a specific building, and it may be enabled to
communicate with BLE beacons 600 using BLE radio signals.
[0172] The system may comprise in addition at least one mobile
survey device 630. Server 610 may be enabled to communicate with
other devices via the Internet 640. Mobile survey device 630 may be
enabled to communicate with servers that are accessible via the
Internet 640 using a cellular communication network 650 connected
to the Internet 640. Cellular communication network 650 may be any
kind of cellular communication network, like a Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM), a CDMA2000, a Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS), or a long term evolution (LTE)
based communication network. It is to be understood that
alternatively or in addition, mobile survey device 630 may be
enabled to use a wireless local area network (WLAN) for
communicating with server 610 via the Internet 640.
[0173] Operations in the system of FIG. 12 may be similar to some
of the operations in the system of FIG. 5, and these operations may
be split up between server 610 and mobile survey device 630. The
operations of BLE beacons 600 may be basically the same as
described with reference to actions 510 to 506. Once a survey agent
has distributed BLE beacons 600 at a site, server 610 may be
informed. Server 610 may then provide default configuration
parameter values to the beacons 600 using a BLE transmission. The
same default configuration parameter values may be used for all BLE
beacons 600 (for instance those described with reference to action
401) so that the values may be provided by server 610 in a
broadcast. Alternatively, an individual connection may be
established subsequently with all beacons 600; in this case it may
also be possible to use individual default configuration parameter
values, e.g. individual transmission power values. Thereafter,
mobile survey device 630 detects broadcast advertising packets of
various beacons 600 while moving around (e.g. as described with
reference to action 402). Mobile survey device 630 may assembles
radio image data for each beacon 600 (e.g. as described with
reference to action 404) and provide the radio image data to server
610; alternatively, mobile survey device 630 may provide the
original measurement results and measurement location information
to server 610, which may then assemble radio image data in the same
manner for each beacon 600. Either mobile survey device 630 or
server 610 may further determine adapted configuration parameter
values for each beacon (e.g. as described with reference to action
404). If determined by mobile survey device 630, the values may be
provided as well to server 610. Server 610 may then subsequently
establish a BLE connection with each of BLE beacons 600 and cause
BLE beacons 600 to store the beacon specific radio mode data as
advertising data and to set internal parameter values to correspond
to the (optionally beacon specific) adapted configuration parameter
values (similarly as described with reference to actions 409 and
410).
[0174] Later updates that are based on a testing of the system by
means of a mobile survey device 630 (e.g. as described with
reference to action 413) may equally be performed via server
610.
[0175] Alternatively, each of BLE beacons 600 may be integrated in
a device 601 that comprises a further communication interface.
Server 610 may then be enabled to communicate with BLE beacons 600
for instance via a local area network (LAN) or a WLAN of the
building instead of a BLE radio interface. Alternatively, server
610 may be a general service providing server and may be enabled to
access devices 601 via the Internet 630.
[0176] It is to be understood that the presented example systems,
apparatuses and operations may be varied in many ways. The
operations may be varied for instance by modifying actions, by
omitting actions and/or by adding actions. In addition, the order
of actions may be modified.
[0177] In an alternative embodiment, the positioning support
devices may include for example other transmitters than BLE
beacons, for example regular Bluetooth transmitters or ultra-sound
transmitters, etc.
[0178] In an alternative embodiment, the location of measurement
may be determined for example by other means than user input or
GNSS based positioning, for instance using a WLAN based
positioning.
[0179] In an alternative embodiment, the system may rely largely on
BLE beacons that are already available at a localization site. Only
as far as the BLE beacons are distributed too sparsely, additional
BLE beacons may be used for supplementing the existing
infrastructure.
[0180] Summarized, certain embodiments of the invention provide for
a self-contained positioning system which may not require any
Internet connectivity for positioning. Certain embodiments of the
invention enable a positioning of mobile devices with very small
memory, like IoT devices. In a training phase, data on radio images
generated by transmissions of positioning support devices may be
assembled, and in a positioning phase, the data on its own radio
image may be distributed by each positioning support devices. Thus,
additional servers to distribute data about radio images to mobile
devices may not be required. For the training phase, there is also
no need to print and apply labels indicating the location of each
positioning support devices, and no need to position the
positioning support devices exactly at the indicated locations so
that no detailed map of the building is required.
[0181] Furthermore, certain embodiments of the invention provide
for an adjustable configuration of positioning support devices for
two stages of a self-contained positioning system. Adjusting the
configuration of each positioning support device to the environment
may maximize the positioning performance. It may be ensured, for
instance, that the data of a suitable number of positioning support
devices may be received at each location by setting the
transmission power to a suitable value. It may be ensured, for
instance, that the data of whole radio images of surrounding
positioning support devices can be received within a specified
period of time by setting the transmission frequency to a suitable
value. Using different configurations in different stages of a
self-contained positioning system may reduce the overall cost of
the system and improve the performance. Using a proper
configuration at each stage may increase the life time of the
system without making any compromise in performance of the
system.
[0182] Furthermore, certain embodiments of the invention may help
in setting up a self-contained positioning system, if the
configuration is performed by means of a mobile device. They may
support/guide a user of the mobile device in visiting all
positioning support devices for the configuration of the
positioning support devices, and thus reduce the possibility of
errors in configuring positioning support devices or the likelihood
that some positioning support devices are overlooked for
configuration, and they may save time in setting up the system.
Certain embodiments may also allow checking whether the
configuration of a positioning support device was successful by
receiving and checking data that is transmitted by a configured
positioning support device.
[0183] Any presented connection in the described embodiments is to
be understood in a way that the involved components are
operationally coupled. Thus, the connections can be direct or
indirect with any number or combination of intervening elements,
and there may be merely a functional relationship between the
components.
[0184] Further, as used in this text, the term `circuitry` refers
to any of the following:
(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations
in only analog and/or digital circuitry) (b) combinations of
circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as: (i) to a
combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of
processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)),
software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus,
such as a mobile phone, to perform various functions) and (c) to
circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a
microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation,
even if the software or firmware is not physically present.
[0185] This definition of `circuitry` applies to all uses of this
term in this text, including in any claims. As a further example,
as used in this text, the term `circuitry` also covers an
implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or
portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software
and/or firmware. The term `circuitry` also covers, for example, a
baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated
circuit for a mobile phone.
[0186] Any of the processors mentioned in this text could be a
processor of any suitable type. Any processor may comprise but is
not limited to one or more microprocessors, one or more
processor(s) with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or
more processor(s) without accompanying digital signal processor(s),
one or more special-purpose computer chips, one or more
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAS), one or more controllers,
one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or
one or more computer(s). The relevant structure/hardware has been
programmed in such a way to carry out the described function.
[0187] Any of the memories mentioned in this text could be
implemented as a single memory or as a combination of a plurality
of distinct memories, and may comprise for example a read-only
memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory or a
hard disc drive memory etc.
[0188] Moreover, any of the actions described or illustrated herein
may be implemented using executable instructions in a
general-purpose or special-purpose processor and stored on a
computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, or the like)
to be executed by such a processor. References to
`computer-readable storage medium` should be understood to
encompass specialized circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal
processing devices, and other devices.
[0189] Example embodiments using at least one processor and at
least one memory as a non-transitory data medium are shown in FIGS.
13 and 14.
[0190] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a device 700. Device
700 includes a processor 702. Processor 702 is connected to a
volatile memory 703, such as a RAM, by a bus 708. Bus 708 also
connects processor 702 and RAM 703 to a non-volatile memory 704,
such as a ROM. A communications interface or module 705 is coupled
to bus 708, and thus also to processor 702 and memories 703, 704.
Within ROM 704 is stored a software (SW) application 707. Software
application 707 may be a positioning application, although it may
take some other form as well. An operating system (OS) 706 also is
stored in ROM 704.
[0191] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a device 710. Device
710 may take any suitable form. Generally speaking, device 710 may
comprise processing circuitry 712, including one or more
processors, and a storage device 713 comprising a single memory
unit or a plurality of memory units 714. Storage device 713 may
store computer program instructions 717 that, when loaded into
processing circuitry 712, control the operation of device 710.
Generally speaking, also a module 711 of device 710 may comprise
processing circuitry 712, including one or more processors, and
storage device 713 comprising a single memory unit or a plurality
of memory units 714. Storage device 713 may store computer program
instructions 717 that, when loaded into processing circuitry 712,
control the operation of module 711.
[0192] The software application 707 of FIG. 13 and the computer
program instructions 717 of FIG. 14, respectively, may correspond
e.g. to the computer program code in any of memories 102, 202, 302
or 312, respectively.
[0193] In example embodiments, any non-transitory computer readable
medium mentioned in this text could also be a removable/portable
storage or a part of a removable/portable storage instead of an
integrated storage. Example embodiments of such a removable storage
are illustrated in FIG. 15, which presents, from top to bottom,
schematic diagrams of a magnetic disc storage 720, of an optical
disc storage 721, of a semiconductor memory circuit device storage
722 and of a Micro-SD semiconductor memory card storage 723.
[0194] The functions illustrated by processor 101 in combination
with memory 102, or processor 301 in combination with memory 302,
or component 303 can also be viewed as means for causing
transmission of radio signals using at least one default
configuration parameter value; means for obtaining and causing
storage of data which enables a determination of characteristics of
radio signals transmitted by the positioning support device,
wherein the characteristics of radio signals are expected to be
observable at different locations; means for obtaining at least one
adapted configuration parameter value; and means for causing
transmission of radio signals including the stored data using the
at least one adapted configuration parameter value.
[0195] The program codes in memory 102 and memory 302 can also be
viewed as comprising such means in the form of functional
modules.
[0196] The functions illustrated by processor 201 in combination
with memory 202, or processor 311 in combination with memory 312,
or component 313 can also be viewed as means for obtaining
characteristics of radio signals, the radio signals transmitted by
a positioning support device using at least one default
configuration parameter value and the characteristics of radio
signals measured by at least one mobile device at each of a
plurality of locations, and obtaining indications of the locations
of measurement; means for assembling, based on the obtained
characteristics of radio signals and the obtained indications of
the locations of measurement, data which enables a determination of
characteristics of radio signals transmitted by the positioning
support device, wherein the characteristics of radio signals are
expected to be observable at different locations; means for
determining at least one adapted configuration parameter value for
the positioning support device; and means for causing the
positioning support device to store the assembled data for future
transmissions and to use the at least one adapted configuration
parameter value for future transmissions.
[0197] The program codes in memory 202 and memory 312 can also be
viewed as comprising such means in the form of functional
modules.
[0198] FIGS. 2, 4 and 6a/b may also be understood to represent
example functional blocks of computer program codes supporting a
positioning of a mobile device by the mobile device.
[0199] It will be understood that all presented embodiments are
only examples, and that any feature presented for a particular
example embodiment may be used with any aspect of the invention on
its own or in combination with any feature presented for the same
or another particular example embodiment and/or in combination with
any other feature not mentioned. It will further be understood that
any feature presented for an example embodiment in a particular
category may also be used in a corresponding manner in an example
embodiment of any other category.
* * * * *